I received much e-mail regarding the use of cell phones in restaurants, and not a one favored the practice. One reader wrote, "I can’t think of anything more rude or disruptive than having a nice, quiet dinner at a good restaurant and someone's cell phone ringing and having to listen to their conversation. Atmosphere is just as important as food Ð I wish that they would take their calls out to the lobby." A restaurant owner wrote, "I don’t think restaurants are the place for phones."
    Coming from a different perspective, a food server of many years wrote, "I have experienced pleasantries, rudeness and everything the public has to offer. On the subject of cell phones though, I have strong and passionate objections to them being used in restaurants by customers. When a person is chatting on the phone they are prohibiting me from doing my job. A restaurant is my place of business and I am trying to do my job. The use of cell phones in restaurants, in my opinion, is rude, arrogant and obnoxious. It is enhancing the 'Jerry Springer' attitude that is permeating the social fabric of America. I can understand emergency use of cell phones while dining out. However, I think it is time for people to turn off, hang up and wise up."
    From the reaction, it seems people dislike or frown upon loud unnecessary yakking on cell phones in restaurants. It’s one of those little things, like those folks who drench themselves in way too much perfume or cologne and then inflict their scent of choice on those unlucky enough to be seated next to them. It’s not against the law; it’s just not good common courtesy.

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    Looking for a shred of a reason to convince yourself to take your kids to Legoland? How about gourmet food? With the addition of Executive Chef Mark Kuperman, Legoland is trying to change the way theme park food is viewed. Kuperman will develop new products, plan banquets and oversee catering events. He graduated from the California Culinary Academy and worked at some of the top restaurants in Paris and Milan. He says he wants to set a "new standard in theme park cuisine." Kuperman is setting this standard with his signature "Creme Brulée with Caramelized Crust topped in Strawberries." It is served at Ristorante Brickolini in Village Green.

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    San Diego will be represented by three of its finest chefs at the James Beard House in New York City on Sept. 14, 2000. This "dream team" will be comprised of executive chefs Riko Bartolome of 150 Grand Cafe, Tom Dowling of the Rancho Bernardo Inn and Bernard Guillas of the Marine Room. Joining the team will be Ron Oliver of the Marine Room and Patrick Ponsaty of the Rancho Bernardo Inn. The goal of the James Beard Foundation is to salute American chefs and their cuisine. The team of chefs will focus their menu on the best food products San Diego has to offer.

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    Quick Bites: Chef extraordinaire Celeste Dunn has moved from the Grant Grill to The La Jolla Country Club. She is replacing Eddie Fincher who is moving to the Del Mar Country Club. Patagonia, the Argentinian steak house that opened last December in the Golden Triangle, has closed. The same for Harmony on Fifth, the supper club themed-Fifth Avenue restaurant that opened a year ago. On the other side of the business plan, new openings include Nami Japanese Sushi, Kitima Thai, and The Fish Hut, all in Hillcrest.

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    La Costa Resort and Spa is launching a new program for moms-to-be. The Spa Maternity Program focuses on the specific needs of expectant mothers. Treatments include "Maternity Massages," "Revitalizing Leg Treatment," and "Relaxing Maternity Bath." Prices range from $55 to $100. For more information call (760) 438-9111, ext. 30.

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    The Hotel del Coronado was recognized as one of the "World's Best" resorts in Travel & Leisure's fourth annual reader's survey. And this before the recently launched $50 million restoration. Michael J. Hardisty, managing director, says the focus of the project will be the original 112 year-old Victorian structure and not the adjacent tower. All guest rooms will be redecorated in a classic Victorian design and air conditioning will be added (thank goodness). Views of the Pacific will be enhanced by expanding and re-designing the Ocean Terrace Room and Prince of Wales Restaurant as well as adding terraces to both. The Ocean Terrace Pavilion will be open for public dining throughout the restoration, while the other two will be closed. Included in the rehab will be the addition of Windsor Lawn, which will replace four of the seven tennis courts now located on the beach front area. The lawn will provide a seaside leisure setting with landscaped walkways and sitting areas. What a great wedding spot.

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    The National Kidney Foundation is holding its third annual The Great Chefs of San Diego on Nov. 21, sponsored by American Airlines and Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. Preceding the main event will be a two part "Battle of the Great Chefs" held at The Great News Cooking School in Pacific Beach. It’s a takeoff on the Cable Food Network's "Ready, Set, Cook!," a game show where two top chefs are each given a bag of groceries the contents of which are unknown until the contest begins. The chefs have a set number of minutes to prepare a dinner entrée using the ingredients bestowed upon them. The audience acts as the judge and through applause selects the winner. On Nov. 6, Rene Herbeck from Twins Restaurant and Amiko Gubbins of Parallel 33 (who just happen to spend a lot of time together out of the kitchen if you know what I mean) will duel when each is given a mystery basket of ingredients and just 45 minutes to create an entrée plate. On Nov. 13, Bernard Guillas from the Marine Room and Deborah Scott of Kemo Sabe will compete. For reservations to The Battle, call (858) 270-1582. Tickets are $20.

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    The Westgate Hotel has received the Five Star Diamond Award from the Academy of Hospitality Sciences, the only international award program honoring hospitality establishments. Fewer than 80 hotels have received this honor.

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    David Bilbe, veteran hospitality executive, is the first g.m. for the new Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Gaslamp that opened late last month. The hotel is housed within the magnificently restored San Diego Trust & Saving Bank building, a 71-year-old designated historic site at 530 Broadway. The Italian Romanesque Revival-style hotel will offer 246 rooms, which include 16 suites and the penthouse Presidential Suite. Full business and catering services are available, as well as some of the most unique meeting and function space in the nation, including the bank's original vault and safe deposit box room.

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    Watch for an early opening this month of a new Gaslamp Quarter eatery, Roger's On Fifth. The "Radio Mayor of San Diego," Roger Hedgecock, has teamed with friends ("the investors") in the venture. Roger's will serve a variety of American cuisine, blending the best of traditional dishes "San Diego style."
    Hedgecock says the restaurant is his "love song to San Diego" Ð I hope the food is better than his singing Ð with two themes. First, great American food and second, a decor invoking San Diego’s past, present and future. Chef Larry Banares (formally of Jimmy Love's) will be heading up the kitchen. John Flemming will serve as g.m. The decor includes a mural with caricatures featuring 30 famous San Diegans. As the restaurant ages, new faces will be added to the mural, with Hedgecock determining the size of each visage.
    Hedgecock says when he was approached by a group of investors seeking his "participation" in an eatery he couldn’t resist because he has always fancied the thought of owning a restaurant. I asked him what his role would be and he said he was going to be in-house every night and he plans to broadcast his radio show twice a week from the restaurant. I asked him (being an owner and all) if he would bus tables if necessary. He replied "No, I bused tables in high school and I hope I have progressed a little since then."

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    Deborah Horger is the new group sales manager for Peohe's Waterfront Restaurant on Coronado. Prior to joining Peohe's, Horger worked in a regional sales capacity for Chart House Restaurants.

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    Sixty-two Southern California hotels and 32 restaurants have earned the AAA 2000 Four Diamond Award. The award symbolizes an extraordinary accomplishment by an establishment and its ongoing commitment to hard work, superior quality and exceptional service. The hotels and restaurants honored with a Four Diamond Award and the number of consecutive years each property has earned the award in San Diego follow: La Casa Del Zorro Resort, 7th year; La Costa Resort and Spa, 24th year; Coronado Island Marriott Resort, 12th year; Hotel Del Coronado, 5th year; Loews Coronado Bay Resort, 8th year; Orchard Hill Country Inn, 4th year; Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, 10th year; Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 10th year; La Valencia Hotel, 11th year; Rancho Bernardo Inn, 22nd year; Hyatt Regency San Diego, 7th year; Pacific Terrace Inn, 14th year; San Diego Marriott hotel & Marina, 16th year; San Diego Hilton Beach & Tennis Resort, 22nd year; Wyndham Emerald Plaza, 8th year. San Diego Restaurants: Vivace at Four Seasons Resort Aviara, 1st year; Sky Room at La Valencia Hotel, 9th year; El Bizcocho Restaurant at Rancho Bernardo Inn, 10th year; Mille Fleurs, 9th year; Baci's, 8th year; Mister A's, 6th year. Congratulations!

Terryl Gavre spends her entire day thinking about what she is going to eat for dinner. She believes the world would be a better place if everyone worked once as a foodserver. She is owner of Café 222, Downtown and Del Mar.